Which Gutters are Right for Your Home?

The number one thing to consider when you are planning to install new gutters is, “Why?” This question will help you answer most of the following questions you’ll have before purchasing your ultimate selection.

In our experience as a local gutter service, here are three reasons homeowners might be shopping for new rain gutters:

An Upgrade – Switching out the gutters can really impact the appearance of your home, enhancing its look in a more subtle way than painting or new landscaping.

A New Home – Designing a new home comes with a constant stream of choices about both appearance and functionality. Rain gutters included. Choosing the first gutters that go on your house is important because they should last approximately 20 years.

A Renovation – If the roof on your home has suffered damage, the gutters may have to be replaced. Or, they may simply be deteriorating and need to be replaced with new ones.

You will know why you are replacing the gutters on your home, but the reason often has underlying motivations…

You want to sell your house.

You want to renovate but not spend a lot of money.

Your landscaping is getting ruined by ineffective gutters.

Determining your “Why” will give you direction while you are shopping for new gutters. You’ll know what features are must-haves or if you can choose a less expensive product.

Here are the questions you’ll want to consider when purchasing new gutters.

HOW TO CHOOSE GUTTER MATERIALS?

The fun part of installing new gutters is picking out the style. Gutters can blend in or stand out against your house, depending on your personal preference.

These are the options you will have, in order of lowest to highest cost:

VINYL & PLASTIC GUTTERS

Vinyl and plastic are economical options that hold up well in most cases, other than extremely cold climates, where they can wear down. Vinyl and plastic gutters are efficient in nearly every region of the country, and they are available in a wide variety of colors.

METAL & ALUMINUM GUTTERS

These reasonably priced options are attractive and durable. Both of these materials are available in a variety of colors as well. They are fairly lightweight and not hard to install. Galvanized metals (coated with zinc to protect them) are able to fend off rust and corrosion even better.

COPPER & STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS

Of all the gutter materials available, copper and stainless steel are the most expensive, but are the most stylish as well. Homeowners in Kirkland who decide on these options are searching for an elegant touch, and that’s exactly what they’ll get!

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT GUTTER FEATURES?

Almost all of the gutter types above will offer both of these options:

SECTIONAL OR SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Sectional gutters – These gutters come in smaller sections, so they’re easier to install. In fact, homeowners decide to install their own sectional gutters on their own. This type is the less expensive choice, and they have more seams, which means there are more sections where leaks are going to occur.

Seamless gutters – Seamless gutters should be installed by a local contractor because they need special tools. They’re more expensive to purchase and to install, but they are less likely to leak than sectional gutters.

K-STYLE OR HALF-ROUND GUTTERS

K-Style – K-Style gutters are far more popular because they look great with almost any style of home. They’re better for angled roofs, which are far more common. This one of the reasons for their popularity. And, they are not hard to install. Most homeowners are capable enough to install their own K-Style gutters by themselves.

Half-Round – Half-Round gutters are traditionally made of copper and steel, and they complement rounded roofs, popular prior to 1950, so they provide homes a luxurious, established appearance. However, more modern styles made out of vinyl and plastic provide the best of both worlds, being lightweight and functional. Half-Round rain gutters are harder to install, but easier to clean, when it’s time for gutter cleaning.

DOES CLIMATE AFFECT GUTTERS?

The climate of your region will determine a lot about the gutters you should install. Like we mentioned, certain materials don’t hold up well in cold climates.

The single most important climate factor to think about is how much work the gutters will have to do. Essentially, how much rain or water are your gutters going to have to withstand?

Professional gutter companies in Kirkland will take a lot of factors into account to determine the size and type of rain gutters that will work the best for your house.

WHAT IS THE FORMULA?

Luckily, the formula professional home exterior contractors use is no secret. Here are the pieces of specific information you will need to decide how large your gutters should be:

Average Rainfall – This weather statistic can be found on the National Weather Service or the U.S. Weather Bureau website. You should also find the maximum rainfall intensity for the city you live in. This is the max amount of rain that will occur within a 5-minute span.

Roof Square Footage – Square footage is a simple length times width calculation for residential roofs. However, you want to figure all the surfaces of multi-faceted roofs.

Roof-Pitch Factor – A roof that is steep will collect more wind-blown rain than a less sloped roof. Figuring out your roof-pitch factor will help you calculate how much rainfall will actually be collected, regardless of the rainfall statistics.

DOES IT SNOW WHERE YOU LIVE?

Snowfall is factored into average precipitation calculations, but you also want to be aware of the potential for ice dams. If it snows regularly in your region, you need to seek professional guidance about the type of rain gutters that best prevent ice dams from forming, which can severely damage your home’s roof.

Of course, the last question is probably the most important …

HOW TO INSTALL GUTTERS?

You also have to ask yourself if you’re willing to try to do the work yourself, or if you want to hire a professional to install your new gutters. Professional installation will ensure efficiency, compared to doing it yourself.

Most homeowners should consider paying a little extra for professional labor, knowing that the job will be done right. Another bonus of hiring Kirkland Gutters to install the new gutters is that we can help you answer all your questions about gutters so that you find the best style and type for your home.